Could 26 charter school students have to change schools?

There is a dilemma facing Guahan Academy Charter School, as after enrolling roughly 630 students for this school year, it received a notification from the Guam Legislature saying it is in violation of public law. According to school principal Mary Mafnas, it wasn't until after she had sent a letter asking the Guam Legislature to increase the student cap from 600 to 630 that she received the letter from Senator Nerissa Underwood.

Mafnas said, "I got the letter from her saying that I was in violation 08 and then I responded to that letter." Mafnas responded by saying the school would no longer enroll any more students, or fill withdrawals, in an effort to bring enrollment as close to the required 600 as possible. But what does that mean for the additional 26 students who have already completed their first two weeks of school? Council chair Rosa Palomo told KUAM News, "The Legislature is saying that we're in violation of the law."

Administrators noted the main problem is that the school calendar year and fiscal year don't coincide. Because the Guahan Academy Charter School was expecting a cap of 640 students, as indicated by the Guam Academy Charter School Council in January, it enrolled during the summer months accordingly. However the Legislature's cap of 600 students was finalized on Monday.

Senator Underwood said, "The budget law clearly states that they are capped at 600 and the responsibility of meeting the needs of those students lie right there, with the administrators who have allowed students to enroll beyond 600, and also with the board of trustees."

Underwood said she is concerned about the effect exceeding the cap may have on students. Meanwhile Guahan Academy noted it will try to absorb the additional students using the funding allocated, rather than asking student to disenroll and change schools.

Guam High School and surrounding homes at Naval Hospital have been evacuated after a bomb threat is called in Thursday afternoon. The threat specifically targeted the school. GPD and Navy police are sweeping the area with K-9 units. The Naval Base Guam Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit is standing by in the event anything is found. Guam Homeland Security officials say all measures are being taken to ensure the safety of the public and first responders involved.

Guam High School and surrounding homes at Naval Hospital have been evacuated after a bomb threat is called in Thursday afternoon. The threat specifically targeted the school. GPD and Navy police are sweeping the area with K-9 units. The Naval Base Guam Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit is standing by in the event anything is found. Guam Homeland Security officials say all measures are being taken to ensure the safety of the public and first responders involved.

He was pulled over for having no tags on his license plates, but is now facing drug charges. Lan Allen Carrick is charged with possession of a schedule II controlled substance. During the traffic stop, the officer noticed several opens beer cans inside the car. The suspect later admitting he had a glass pipe used to smoke the drug, ICE. Police found the pipe with meth residue, a clear zip-lock bag with white residue, and a heat modified plastic straw.More >>

He was pulled over for having no tags on his license plates, but is now facing drug charges. Lan Allen Carrick is charged with possession of a schedule II controlled substance. During the traffic stop, the officer noticed several opens beer cans inside the car. The suspect later admitting he had a glass pipe used to smoke the drug, ICE. Police found the pipe with meth residue, a clear zip-lock bag with white residue, and a heat modified plastic straw.More >>

He wants to plead insanity. A plea deal is in the works for a man accused in a hostage and police standoff from last April. But it seems the suspect, Vincent Philip Siguenza Cruz, is now claiming he has an insanity defense. He appeared in court today. Last April, Cruz allegedly held police at bay for hours and took a family hostage. One of the hostages took him down before his arrest. Negotiations for his plea will have to be settled before he returns to court at a later date.More >>

He wants to plead insanity. A plea deal is in the works for a man accused in a hostage and police standoff from last April. But it seems the suspect, Vincent Philip Siguenza Cruz, is now claiming he has an insanity defense. He appeared in court today. Last April, Cruz allegedly held police at bay for hours and took a family hostage. One of the hostages took him down before his arrest. Negotiations for his plea will have to be settled before he returns to court at a later date.More >>

The Guam Waterworks Authority broke ground on the latest in a series of projects to upgraded the reservoir system. The rehabilitation and replacement of large tanks like the one next to Nissan Motors in Upper Tumon is part of a long-standing federal consent decree. GWA General Manager Miguel Bordallo told KUAM News, "This $14 million project is critical for us to meet our court ordered requirements, but also for improving the delivery of reliable water service in the centr...More >>

The Guam Waterworks Authority broke ground on the latest in a series of projects to upgraded the reservoir system. The rehabilitation and replacement of large tanks like the one next to Nissan Motors in Upper Tumon is part of a long-standing federal consent decree. GWA General Manager Miguel Bordallo told KUAM News, "This $14 million project is critical for us to meet our court ordered requirements, but also for improving the delivery of reliable water service in the centr...More >>

One named defendant in the clergy sexual abuse lawsuits fires back. Filed today in the District Court of Guam, Joe R. San Agustin, also known as Father Andrew San Agustin, responds to allegations of clergy sexual abuse and agrees for a request for a jury trial. If you recall, the former priest was named in a civil complaint filed by B.T., who was only identified by her initials to protect her identity. B.T. alleged San Agustin brought her and her sister to Guam for vacation. He all...More >>

One named defendant in the clergy sexual abuse lawsuits fires back. Filed today in the District Court of Guam, Joe R. San Agustin, also known as Father Andrew San Agustin, responds to allegations of clergy sexual abuse and agrees for a request for a jury trial. If you recall, the former priest was named in a civil complaint filed by B.T., who was only identified by her initials to protect her identity. B.T. alleged San Agustin brought her and her sister to Guam for vacation. He all...More >>

The cutbacks keep on coming, as the Guam Power Authority has been working on its cost containment measures. GPA assistant general manager Melinda Camacho says it's been quite the challenge with the manpower they currently have. A plus, however, is they are able to keep the lights on. "We've maintained our overtime below our budget, we have not hired personnel. So as we even in generation, as retirees just through natural attrition, they are out there. So we are not hiring and we...More >>

The cutbacks keep on coming, as the Guam Power Authority has been working on its cost containment measures. GPA assistant general manager Melinda Camacho says it's been quite the challenge with the manpower they currently have. A plus, however, is they are able to keep the lights on. "We've maintained our overtime below our budget, we have not hired personnel. So as we even in generation, as retirees just through natural attrition, they are out there. So we are not hiring and we...More >>

Bench warrants have been issued for two men arrested on drug charges. Jason Ortiola and Roger Balicha were no-shows to their Wednesday hearing. They have also repeatedly failed to report to probation for regular check-ins, as ordered by the court. Ortiola, we should note, is a former GPD officer who was fired from the force and sentenced in federal court for selling the drug "ICE" while in uniform with his duty weapon. Bail was set at $5,000 each for Ortiola and Balicha. C...More >>

Bench warrants have been issued for two men arrested on drug charges. Jason Ortiola and Roger Balicha were no-shows to their Wednesday hearing. They have also repeatedly failed to report to probation for regular check-ins, as ordered by the court. Ortiola, we should note, is a former GPD officer who was fired from the force and sentenced in federal court for selling the drug "ICE" while in uniform with his duty weapon. Bail was set at $5,000 each for Ortiola and Balicha. C...More >>

A 33 year old man is under arrest after he allegedly threatened to kill several people at a home in Harmon. Milk Manutae is charged with two counts of aggravated assault, terrorizing, and criminal mischief. Court documents state, the suspect was holding a knife and a machete while making the alleged threats He is accused of hitting the door repeatedly with the machete, while those living there were inside the home. He is also accused of throwing rocks to one victim and towards one of...More >>

A 33 year old man is under arrest after he allegedly threatened to kill several people at a home in Harmon. Milk Manutae is charged with two counts of aggravated assault, terrorizing, and criminal mischief. Court documents state, the suspect was holding a knife and a machete while making the alleged threats He is accused of hitting the door repeatedly with the machete, while those living there were inside the home. He is also accused of throwing rocks to one victim and towards one of...More >>

He tried to hide out from police inside the abandoned Guam Rehab Center when he was caught with drugs. 25 year old Osupwang Mutirok is charged with possession of schedule II controlled substance. Court document state, police saw a man in Upper Tumon who matched the description of a suspect involved in a reported theft. When the officer asked for ID, the suspect ran away attempting to hide inside a building nearby. Police were able to find him along with a glass pipe containing the dr...More >>

He tried to hide out from police inside the abandoned Guam Rehab Center when he was caught with drugs. 25 year old Osupwang Mutirok is charged with possession of schedule II controlled substance. Court document state, police saw a man in Upper Tumon who matched the description of a suspect involved in a reported theft. When the officer asked for ID, the suspect ran away attempting to hide inside a building nearby. Police were able to find him along with a glass pipe containing the dr...More >>